Statement on Department of Energy Shale Gas Production Subcommittee Report on Hydraulic Fracturing

Responding to the release of the report is IPAA President and CEO Barry Russell:

“The release of the SEAB Shale Gas Production Subcommittee Ninety-Day Report marks another instance where evaluation of shale gas development using hydraulic fracturing concludes – on balance – that the current state and federal regulatory processes are effectively protecting the public while allowing the development of America’s abundant natural gas. While the Report makes a number of recommendations, these recommendations are largely directed at improving public knowledge about development and enhancing the effectiveness of the current management of shale gas development environmental risks.

“The Report stands in stark contrast to the strident, hysterical demands for moratoria on hydraulic fracturing. The Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) will be providing specific comments to the Subcommittee on its recommendations.

“IPAA believes that the Report presents a useful starting point for further discussions on achieving the various goals targeted by the Subcommittee.

“For example, IPAA supports the development of public information on fracturing and believes that the new state regulator website, FracFocus.org, is the appropriate venue. IPAA has participated in STRONGER – State Review of Oil and Natural Gas Environmental Regulations – since its inception and believes it can expand its role, as recommended by the Subcommittee, in displaying the effectiveness of state regulatory programs and their implementation of federal laws.

“IPAA hopes that the Subcommittee’s efforts will help shift shale gas development discussions toward real issues that need to be addressed. Shale gas extraction is a construction process that requires heavy equipment and confronts difficult challenges. While it uses space-age technology to locate and develop natural gas, it is not computer chip manufacturing done in air-conditioned, controlled confines. Communities need to understand that the industry and the regulators recognize that there are environmental risks to development and effectively manage those risks. But, communities also need to fully understand that there will be disruptive activities during drilling and industry needs to improve its response to local concerns.”